23 June 2026 · A sentence from the teachings of Rav Kook

A Positive Aim

„Our aim is always directed not only to be redeemed from Egypt, not only to be healed from wounds and saved from ailments, not only to emerge from the frameworks of poverty and from the darkness of blindness. Not the negative craving alone. (For) it depresses the soul and does not give satisfaction to life.”From Pinkas Yerushalayim 5693, 7

One can live for whole years out of a desire to flee from the place where things are bad for us. This is important, but it cannot be the purpose of life. A person who lives only against what pains him lacks a positive purpose. Not only not to be sick, but to be full of strength. Not only to emerge from the darkness, but to discover light. Not only to be saved from what diminishes us, but to build within ourselves greatness, joy, love, faith, and richness of soul. The departure from the straits that choke us is only the beginning of the road, and after it we must ask what positive life we wish to create.

LoveFaithJoySoul & SpiritLand of Israel
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From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.